‘Discovery of O&G fields to bring good impact to Balingian, Miri belt’
BALINGIAN: The discovery of three new oil and gas (O&G) fields in Baram Delta, Central Luconia and Balingian by Petroleum Nasional Berhad (Petronas) would give a good impact to the belt from Balingian up to Miri.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is particularly good for Balingian where the O&G operation is expected to require a platform in Mukah as well as Balingian.
“But it is still too early to find out. We will only be able to know when Petronas start their activities. At least we have a core infrastructure that we have developed,” he told a press conference after he witnessed the handing-over of Medan Selera Metading from Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) to Dalat and Mukah District Council (MDDM) yesterday.
Petronas has announced a new oil and gas discovery in the Sirung-1 wildcat exploration well of Block SK405B Production Sharing Contract (PSC), located in the shallow waters of the Balingian Province, 237 kilometres off the coast of Miri on March 30.
In February, the O&G company announced a gas discovery from the Dokong-1 wildcat exploration well in the Block SK417 production sharing contract (PSC), which is located in the shallow waters of Baram Province, approximately 90 kilometres off the coast of Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said that he had approved a total of RM60 million to build Tellian by-pass road and a new bridge crossing Batang Mukah.
He said the road, about 5km long and costing RM30 million, was at tendering stage while the bridge will be the second bridge that connects Balingian to Mukah town.
The first bridge is the iconic yellow bridge which has become Mukah’s landmark.
“When completed, the road and the bridge will shorten the journey to Balingian and Mukah proper,” he said.
On Medan Selera Metading, he said that it was part of development projects being implemented in Balingian by LCDA.
“After Medan Selera Metading, LCDA also will build a ‘tamu’ (Bumiputera market) and housing project for the people in Balingian so they can live comfortably in their own house.
“Medan Selera Metading’s strategic location between Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu will provide a new development focus for this area.
“This is in line with Mukah masterplan as envisioned by the former chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who had opened up places in Mukah. I am implementing the projects according to the masterplan,” he said.
He added the coastal town of Mukah will be a strategic place and its development will be on par with rural areas with the availability of coastal roads linking Kuching to Miri by 2030.
Earlier, Abang Johari officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for Anjung Selera Balingian.
Also present were Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datu Len Talif Salleh and Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi.